My puppy was hit by a car
By sparlow
@sparlow (2)
United States
June 29, 2009 12:12am CST
We had a very traumatizing experience this afternoon. Shortly after returning home, my 9 year old daughter let out our 18 week old Labradoodle, Charlie, as she does almost everyday. But, today Charlie decided to leave the yard and visit with her 2 spaniel pals next door. My daughter, in a panic, started running after Charlie, which Charlie took as an exciting game. The next thing that happen will forever be burned into my daughters memories, for she witnessed everything that happend. As she was yelling for Charlie to come back while running after Charlie, Charlie ran into the street and was struck by a car. I heard everything, that's when all the chaos started. All my neighbors are dog lovers and have several of there own, and everyone was yelling my name and Charlies name. My heart sank as I was running to see the severity of Charlies injuries. Charlie seemed to be breathing normally, and was very coherent, but unusually calm. We rushed Charlie to the emergency vet in town where she was listed in critical condition shortly after her arrival. Her condition seemed to get worse by the second. Charlie suffered from several broken bones, a punctured lung, and massive hemorrhaging. Charlie passed away a couple hours later from her injuries. We are devastated. My daughter blames herself, and I'm blaming myself more. How do you recover from a traumatizing experience such as this?
9 people like this
34 responses
@kaorulen (258)
• Philippines
30 Jun 09
a very sad sad sad story. sorry girl but i can't advice about recovering from this traumatizing experience. because i myself is still recovering from the loss of my toy poodle due to her sickness. all i can say is. eventually some day at the right moment you will be able to recover this traumatizing moment. just be brave and pray and everything will be alright.
1 person likes this
@alindahaw (1219)
• Philippines
30 Jun 09
I am so sorry to hear about your dog. I have three dogs at home and I could just imagine how my little boys would react if one of their pets get hit by a car. I hope that your little girl is alright. I know that dogs are kids' bestfriends and I could just imagine your little girl's anguish over the incident.
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
29 Jun 09
First off, keep reassuring your daughter that it was not her fault, that puppies very often think that they are playing, and don't know the difference. And puppies can move quicker than you think. It's terrible that she had to witness it, but just talk about it, is the main thing. Dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is something I have had to call in counselors about, when guys with my fire department went on a bad call. Don't let her just hold it inside, talk about the fun times that you had with Charlie even though you hadn't had him long. Things like this are very hard to deal with, but just don't let her blame herself. Also, don't rush into getting another puppy. Your daughter will help you decide when the time is right for another dog by her actions and things she tells you.
@sparlow (2)
• United States
30 Jun 09
I want to thank you all for your kind words and prayers. Things are becoming a little more manageable around our home, and my daughter seems to be doing so much better. I have read everyone's posts and have taken all advice into consideration. Thank you all so so much!
@enola1692 (3323)
• United States
16 Jan 10
its not easy to recover i know our lab Brina decided to chase a deer that was in our yard an the deer ran across the street where Brina was hit an killed instantly it hurt so bad when my hubby carried her home to bury her in her favorite sleeping spot an it hurt watching our other dog Shayla stare at the emptiness looking for her buddy later that week my daughter took Shayla for a walk to the creek hopping to make her feel better an they found a tan lab puppy that looked like someone just threw off the bridge into the creek my daughter brought this little thing home an Shayla babied it an 3 years later my heart still hurts for Brina but I look at Shayla an KOVO running the back yard best of buds an think of what my daughter said the day she brought that pup home look mom Brina sent us another dog so we wouldn't miss her so much an I smile thanks Brina now that this dog is done with the puppy stage finally you sent us a good dog , I anm so sorry for your lost cause i know how much it hurts to lose a pet
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
1 Jul 09
First of all, Bless your daughter's heart and so sorry for your loss. To lose a pet is so heart breaking, but to witness it first hand is the uttermost horrific thing on earth. It is not her fault, nobody can predict what a dog, especially a puppy will do. I have a 7 month old Basset, that I'm always chasing after because she want's to run across the street to play with my neighbors cat. Many of times, I came close to getting hit by a car to keep her from getting hit.
There is no need to blame yourself either, again, puppies are so hard to predict. They are like toddlers with for 4 feet. Growing up, I had many experiences of seeing pets being hit by cars, it's hard especially as a child. Give your daughter time and lots of love, then maybe when she's ready look for another puppy. Let her pick out a matching collar (chain for males, necklace for females) and a leash.
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
1 Jul 09
oh dear oh dear that is such a traumatizing experience. sad to say, there is no getting over or recovering. people always say that time heals all wounds. i find that it is not true at all. i lost my cat eight years ago and i didn't even see how it happened. i found his body and rushed him to the vet but it was too late. till today, tears still come to my tears whenever i talk about it and i guess i will never forgive myself for allowing it to happen.
my condolences for your loss and hope that your daughter doesn't blame herself too much. 
@MNRFOLEY (435)
• Brisbane, Australia
7 Jul 09
That is a very tragic story I'm sorry to hear this. I am sure that your little girl is very devastated and I understand how she blamed herself and you for blaming yourself for what had happend. I think that only time will heal the pain and with your help and assurance she will recover from the loss and all of you will recover from the loss too. Everything happens for a reason and I'm sure all of you will pass through this unfortunate accident one way or the other.
@Bad_Daddy55 (497)
• Canada
1 Jul 09
Hello; there isn't much that can be said at this time to ease the pain other than think of the good times that you had with Charlie. I lost a Bouvier that was trained for demonstration work in obediance ,guard and agility work. We let him out to do his thing late at night, we called his name ,no answer. nothing at all that night although we called and looked for him. Even the next day, we figured he chased someone off the property that night and got lost, we thought better because he was trained to find home as he did several times before in classes and trials.
The next day he was found in a ditch near a cow pasture off the road..
It took a long time to get over loosing Bree, we always remember the good times. Although it's been several years the good times are always there and here to stay..
Bree luv u always...
REMEMBER ALWAYS LUV YOUR DOG/ PET, THEY WILL ALWAYS LUV U..
@iwrite (5034)
• Singapore
7 Jul 09
So sorry to hear that sparlow,
I hope you and your daughter can find strength to live through this experience. I know it is not going to be easy.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
5 Jul 09
Aw, the poor baby! And your poor daughter. You get over it one day at a time. The lesson your daughter has learned is to never chase a dog because the more you run after it the more it runs. Is she really sad over losing the puppy?
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
30 Jun 09
I'm so sorry that your puppy got hit and equally as sorry that your daughter saw the whole thing take place. My condolences to you and your family. I do worry about your daughter as children always carry the burdens of everything that happen in their lives. Even though they have no control over 99 percent of those things they still blame themselves. It's very important that she knows that is just happened it was something that was meant to be for whatever reason, no one knows and that it was by no means her fault. Offer up other reason that it may have happened, like if only the puppy would have had a fence out back that he could have went into, then maybe he might not have been hit. But nothing is certain. Because if something is meant to be it will happen.
@Annie2 (594)
• United States
30 Jun 09
I am sorry for the loss of your dog, Charlie. Dogs will be dogs, and no matter how well you think your dog has it in his/her head that the street is a no, no -- it is still a dog. Excitement, fear, distractions do happen and the dog can do what you think it would never do . . . run into the street.
Some day, when you get a new dog in your family, remind your daughter to put the leash on your doggie before the door is opened to let it out to potty and play. This could help to keep your new dog safe (and loved) and in your family for many years.
@yetigirl (76)
• Spain
29 Jun 09
what a terrible experience, our irish terrier was also hitted by a car 3 months ago, when he was 7 months...fortunately he survived. Didn't hava a broken bone, but his lungs were flooded with blood (lung edema) and we all thought he was to die. I suffered a pregnancy miscarriage just a week before, and I was devatated too. It's hard to lose 2 of your 3 most loved living beings in the world...but try to explain and make understand your daughter that this was fault of no one, don't blame yourself, it was to happen. The only thing I can tell about recovering is time, give it time, I cried a lot almost two months, while Bart was at the vet, then at home, trying to show he was fine but we all knew he was very weak. Then pain soothed a bit, then a bit more...give it time, and maybe get another puppy, but not inmediatelly. I was taught that the best way to manage with this kind of pain, is helping another creature that needs a relief too. Hope my words help you a bit dear. I'll have Charly on my thoughts and prayers, surely he's happy wherever he is, and is waiting for you all to share his joy. :D
@dabombmom6558 (23)
• United States
30 Jun 09
i'm sorry you lost your sweet puppy. keep reassuring your daughter that it wasn't her fault. and please do the same for yourself.
@mrsctb7 (120)
• United States
1 Jul 09
I agree completely with the response below (palonghorn, I think). Also, both of you will definitely be in my prayers. Also, keep the conversation going, because even when your daughter is doing other things, she's probably thinking about it. So long as she feels she can talk about it whenever she wants to, that helps too.
That being said, please let your daughter know that some lady in Florida, who loves dogs, and has lost some when she was her age, got through it. If you go online to "The Rainbow Bridge", that poem may help very much. The Rainbow Bridge is the bridge all puppies take to get to heaven, where they wait for their owners. (I think I'm remembering it right, but I'm not sure!) Just do a search for it, read it through, and maybe that will help both you and your daughter.
Hugs, Becky
